Switch mechanism for toy tracks.



A. B. MILLER.

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR TOY TRACKS.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.23,1912.

1,080,363. Patented Dec.2,1913.

INVENTOR COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH CO..WA5HINGTON. l). (:4

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ALBERT E. MILLER, 01? CARNEGIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR TOY TRACKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 23, 1912.

Patented Dec. 2,1913. Serial No. 727,326.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Ammrr E. MILLER, a resident of Carnegie, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement 1n Switch Mechanism for Toy Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch mechanism for toy tracks.

The object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for moving the movable switch member in both directions to connect either of the fixed track sections to the main line, said mechanism being so arranged that it may be readily operated at a distance from the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved switch operating mechanism for toy tracks embodying a cylinder having a piston movable therein and connected to the movable track member, and means for either forcing air under pressure into the piston, or exhausting the air therefrom. to move the movable track member in either direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved switch mechanism controlled by a fluid pressure operated piston, embodying connections between said piston and the movable track member, which connections are adjustable so that movement of the piston in one direction can be caused to move the movable track member in either direction.

Other objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will be explained more in detail hereinafter.

The invention comprises the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a plan View of a toy track embodying switch mechanism constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar cross section, showing a modified form of the invention; Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of compression and suction device; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged broken out plan view, illustrating another modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the fixed sec tions of track comprise the main line 1 and branch lines 2, 2*, one of which, as 2, may be a continuation of the main line and the other curved, as shown, or both of which may be curved, if desired. The fixed track sections are supported on the usual sleepers 3, 3", formed of wood or pressed or stamped sheet metal of the proper size and shape. The main track section 1 may be connected to either of the branch lines 2, 2, by a movable track member 4 of any desired type, in this case comprising two short sections of rail rigidly connected by short tie members 5 and 6, and pivotally mounted, as at 7, on one of the sleepers 3.

One of the sleepers, as 3, is extended lengthwise to one side of the main line and forms a base or support for a cylinder 8 in which moves a piston 9 having a piston rod 10 projecting out through one end of the cylinder, said cylinder being provided with a single port 11 in one end thereof. In the form shown in Fig. 1 the cylinder 8 is mounted on the upper surface of the sleeper 3 and comprises a small metallic member having a flat base 12 resting on the sleeper, to which is secured a downwardly depending screw 13 projecting through a slot or aperture 14. extending lengthwise of the sleeper, so the cylinder may be adjusted tovard and. away from the track. A nut 15 is threaded onto the lower end of the bolt 13 and may be tightened up to secure the cylinder thereto.

Suitable connections are provided between the piston rod 10 and the movable track.

member 4 for moving the same, and preferably comprising a rod or bar 16 extending beneath the sleeper 3 and bent up at one end, as at 17, where it passes through a slot 17 in the sleeper 3 and is connected to the movable track member. The rod or bar 16 may be a continuation of the piston rod itself, as inv Fig. 3, or may be suitably con. nected thereto, as in Fig. 2, where its other end is bent upwardly, as at 18, and passes through an opening in a yoke 19 in the end of the piston rod. I

It will of course be understood that the cylinder and the piston contained therein may be mounted either above or beneath the sleeper 3. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the cylinder mounted on the upper face of the sleeper, while in the form shown in Fig. 3, the cylinder is mounted beneath the same, thus improving the general appearance of the toy track section.

The cylinder and piston for moving the movable track member are iceuliar in that the piston is moved in one (iiection by ad compression and suction effects.

mitting compressed air to the cylinder through the port 11 to thereby move the track member in one direction, and is moved in the other direction to return the track member to initial position by exhausting the air from the cylinder. Preferably, a single device performs tions. Fig. 1 illustrates a rubber bulb 20 connected by a flexible tube or conduit :21, preferably formed of rubber, and which may be of any desired length, to the port 11 in cylinder 8. By squeezing the rubber bulb 20 the air is forced under pressure through the conduit or tube 21 and into the cylinder 8, thus moving the piston endwise therein. The movable track member normally occupies the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 1, that is to say, it connects the main line 1 with the straight branch 52 although it may connect either of the branch-es with the main line. When pressure is admitted to the cylinder the piston is moved endwise in the cylinder and the connecting rod 16 swings the movable track member about its pivot 7 to the position indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, thereby connecting the other branch of the track with the main line. As long as the bulb 20 is compressed or squeezed, the movable track member will remain in the second position, it of course being understood that the piston is sufficiently tight in its cylinder so there will be no substantial leakage ,therefrom of the air contained in the bulb 20, pipe 21 and piston 8. \Vhen the bulb 20 is released the elasticity of the rubber of which it is formed expands the bulb and it then acts as a suction or vacuum device to withdraw the air from the cylinder 8 and retract the piston 9 in the cylinder. The piston is therefore moved in the opposite direction and, acting through the rod or bar 16, returns the movable track member to initial position.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular means shown in Fig. 1 for producing the Fig. 1 illustrates a different form of device for this purpose, comprising a cylinder 25 open at one end, as at 26, and having a port 27 in its other end to which the tube or conduit 21 is connected. Within the cylinder is a piston 28 which has a thumb piece 28* projecting through the open end thereof, said piston being forced outwardly by a spiral spring 29. Preferably, the cylinder 25 is provided with a pair of cars or projections 30 to be grasped by the fingers. Whenever the piston 28 is forced into the cylinder it compresses the air therein and moves the piston 9 in the cylinder 8 to throw the switch. Then the thumb is removed from the piston the spring 29 moves the same outwardly and the device then acts I both of these funcas a suction or vacuum device to withdraw or exhaust the air from the switch operating cylinder.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the movable switch member always normally occupies the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, that is to say, connecting the main line 1 with the fixed track section 2, and the switch operating mechanism may be operated to swing it to its other position indicated in dotted lines, and when released permits the switch member to return to initial position. Under some circumstances it is desirable to have the movable switch member normally connect the main line selectively to either of the fixed track sections 2 or 2, so that operation of the pressure and suction device can move the movable switch member by pressure in either direction and return it by suction in the opposite direction. To effect this result the movable track member 1 may be connected, as by a pin or projection 31, to one end of a double-armed lever 32 pivotally mounted upon the under side of the sleeper 3 on a pivot 33. Suitable means is provided for connecting the piston rod 10 to either arm of the doublearmed lever 32, in the present form comprising a connecting rod 3 1 pivoted at one end, as at 32, to the piston rod 10, and provided atits opposite end with a hook 35 which may be engaged in apertures 36 or 37 in opposite ends of the lever 32. The apertures 36 and 37 are placed at the same distance from the pivot 33 but on opposite sides thereof. Consequently, when the connecting rod 34: is connected to one arm of lever 32, pressure in the cylinder 8 will move the switch member in one direction. When, however, the connecting rod 34 is connected to the other arm of the lever, pressure in the cylinder will move the switch member in .the opposite direction. The pivot 33 of the lever is so located with reference to the connecting rod that under normal conditions, that is, with the piston at the port end of the cylinder, when the connecting rod is coupled to one end of the lever, say 36, the. movable track member will connect the main line to one of the branches, while when it is connected to the other end of the lever, say 37, the movable track member will connect the other branch to the main line.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the operation of toy switches for railway tracks, but may also be utilized for throwing the switch member in the third rail of a third rail electric system or, if desired, suitable connections may be provided between the movable track member shown and the third rail in such a system so that both will be operated simultaneously. The cylinder and piston may also be placed between right and left switches and connected to both so that both will be operated simultaneously.

Although I have shown the cylinder and piston as adjustably connected to the sleeper 3, it will of course be understood that other means may be utilized for connecting the cylinder to the sleeper, for example, it may be riveted or bolted thereto, or bands of metal may be placed around the cylinder to rigidly secure it to the sleeper. I have preferred to utilize the adjustable connection, however, since in this manner the cylinder may be adjusted longitudinally of the sleeper to properly locate it with reference to the movable member.

What I claim is 2- 1. In a toy track, the combination with fixed track sections, of a movable track member, and means for moving the same, comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and having a piston rod project-ing through one end thereof and connected to said movable track member, a flexible conduit connected at one end to said cylinder, and a portable compressible device connected to the other end of said conduit and arranged when compressed to force air into said cylinder and when released to exhaust air therefrom to thereby shift said movable track member.

2. In a toy track, the combination with fixed track sections, of a movable track memher, and means for moving the same, comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and having a piston rod projecting through one end thereof and connected to said movable track member, a conduit connected at one end to said cylinder, and a flexible elastic bulb connected to the other end of said conduit and arranged when compressed to force air into said cylinder and when released to exhaust air therefrom to thereby shift said movable track member.

- 3. The combination with fixed track sections and sleepers supporting the same, of a movable track member, and means for moving the same, comprising a cylinder supported on one of said sleepers and adjustable therealong toward and away from said movable track member, a piston movable in said cylinder, connections between said piston and said movable track member for moving the same, and means for forcing air under pressure into said cylinder to thereby shift said movable track member.

4. The combination with fixed track sections, of a movable track member adapted to be connected to either of said fixed track sections, a cylinder, a piston therein, means for forcing air under pressure into one end of said cylinder for moving the piston in one direction and for withdrawing the air from the same end of the cylinder to move the piston in the opposite direction, and an adjustable connection between said piston and the movable track member so arranged that movement of said. piston in one direction will move said movable track member in either direction.

5.-The combination with fixed track sections, of a movable track member adapted to be connected to either of said fixed track sections, a cylinder, a piston therein, means for forcing air under pressure into one end of said cylinder for moving the piston in one direction and for Withdrawing the air from the same end of the cylinder to move the piston in the opposite direction, a denble-armed pivoted lever connected to said movable track member, and means for connecting said piston to either end of said lever.

6. The combination with fixed track sections, of a movable track member adapted to be connected to either of said fixed track sections, a cylinder, a piston therein, means for forcing air under pressure into one end of said cylinder for moving the piston in one direction and for withdrawing the air from the same end of the cylinder to move the piston in the opposite direction, a double-armed pivoted lever connected at one end to said movable track member, and a connecting rod pivotally connected at one end to said piston and at its other end arranged to be connected to either end of said lever.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT E. MILLER. Witnesses:

ELBERT L. I-Irnn, VM. P. LARKIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

